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Six Curtin scientists among Science Award finalists

SIX scientists from Curtin University are among the 18 finalists for the Premier’s Science Awards.

The Curtin group includes two leading experts competing for the coveted Scientist of the Year Award which attracts a $50,000 prize.

Curtin University Research Deputy Vice-Chancellor Chris Moran said their recognition highlighted the important research being carried out at the university.

Phil Bland, from the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Peter Newman, of the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, have been named finalists in the Scientist of the Year category.

Peter Newman.

Professor Bland’s research is focused on the origin and evolution of the solar system by analysing meteorites to explore how Earth formed and how it acquired the ingredients for life.

He established the Desert Fireball Network in WA as an Australian Laureate Fellow and founded the multi-award winning Fireballs in the Sky outreach and citizen science program.

In 2015, the Rossmoyne resident established a partnership between NASA and Australia in planetary, space and exploration science.

Three Curtin researchers, Wensu Chen, Adam Cross, and Katarina Miljkovic, are listed in the Early Career Scientist of the Year category.

Curtin PhD student Ryan Urquhart is a finalist in the Student Scientist of the Year category for his research into the universe’s fastest-feeding black holes.

For more information on the finalists, visit http://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/what-we-do/science-and-innovation/science-award-programs/premier’s-science-awards/2018-finalists.